State of Kentucky Archives: on Gun Control

James Comer:
Unwavering support of 2nd Amendment

I am unwavering in my support of our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. During my time in the Kentucky General Assembly,
I voted unfailingly to support gun rights and protect the 2nd Amendment. I am also a hunter and lifelong gun owner and advocate.

Jim Gray:
Ban gun purchases by people on FBI terrorist watch list

Waving a newspaper story about last weekend's shooting rampage in Orlando that killed 49 people, Jim Gray criticized Sen. Rand Paul for opposing a bill that would ban gun purchases by people on the FBI's terrorist watch list. "How many headlines like
this do we need to see before Congress does something?" asked Gray. "Senator Paul voted to let potential terrorists buy guns. He chose to protect the rights of radical Islam over the safety of innocent Americans. What was Rand Paul thinking?
Where is his common sense? Where's the backbone?"

In December, the day after an extremist couple shot and killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Paul voted against a Democrat-backed bill that would have blocked the sale of guns through licensed firearms
dealers to roughly 10,000 Americans whose names are reported to be on the secret watch list, indicating that federal law-enforcement officials suspect them of possible terrorist activity. The legislation failed by a 54-to-45 vote.

Source: Herald-Leader on 2016 Kentucky Senate race
Jun 15, 2016

Jim Gray:
Ok to delay gun sales for 72 hours, but no secret lists

Jim Gray criticized Sen. Rand Paul for opposing a bill that would ban gun purchases by people on the FBI's terrorist watch list. In December, the day after an extremist couple shot and killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Paul voted against a
Democrat-backed bill that would have blocked the sale of guns through licensed firearms dealers to roughly 10,000 Americans whose names are reported to be on the secret watch list, indicating that federal law-enforcement officials suspect them
of possible terrorist activity. The legislation failed by a 54-to-45 vote.

Responding to Gray's criticism, Paul said he voted for an alternative bill last December, one backed by Republicans, to let federal law-enforcement officials delay gun sales to
suspected terrorists for up to 72 hours. "The legislation I supported prevented the Obama administration from drawing up a secret list of Americans who, through no judicial process, are stripped of their rights," Paul said.

Source: Herald-Leader on 2016 Kentucky Senate race
Jun 15, 2016

Jack Conway:
Believes in right to bear arms and self-protection

Jack Conway is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. He received an A rating from the National Rifle Association and was one of the only Democrats the NRA endorsed during his race for Attorney General. As Attorney General, Jack has always supported
the rights of gun owners.

The NRA has praised Jack's efforts to protect the rights of gun owners. In joining the NRA's Amicus Brief to the United States Supreme Court, Jack asked the Court to hold that the
Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment. As Attorney General, Jack has also joined an Amicus Brief in
Kolbe v. O'Malley and Jackson, et al. v. San Francisco, et al, cases related to the Second Amendment. Jack believes in the right to bear arms and the rights of our citizens to protect themselves.

Grimes mentioned her longstanding invitation to meet McConnell at a gun range, before saying she opposes banning assault weapons but is open to considering changes to how guns are purchased at gun shows. "You shouldn't have different standards when you
go to a gun store versus a gun show," Grimes said.

Grimes said she is a "big supporter" of the 2nd Amendment and does not believe that banning weapons "is the way to actually reduce the violence that we see here in the US." Instead, she said, the
government should work harder "to make sure we educate people and that we enforce the law."

When the Herald-Leader submitted a questionnaire to the Senate campaigns in May, Grimes responded to a question about requiring background checks at gun shows
by saying that she supports "reasonable background checks to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill." She said at the time, "However, these efforts should not infringe upon the right of law-abiding Americans to possess firearms."

Alison Grimes:
Proud of long-held sporting & hunting traditions

Today Alison Lundergan Grimes released the following statement: "As an NRA member, my strong support for the Second Amendment is unquestioned. I am proud of Kentucky's long-held gun ownership, sporting and hunting traditions. It is unfortunate that
Senator McConnell is desperate to mislead Kentucky voters about my strong support for the Second Amendment.

As an NRA member, my strong support for the Second Amendment is unquestioned.
I am proud of Kentucky's long-held gun ownership, sporting and hunting traditions. It is unfortunate that Senator McConnell is desperate to mislead Kentucky voters about my strong support for the Second Amendment. In the Senate,
I will protect my fellow Kentuckians' right to keep and bear arms. Whenever he's not busy pandering to Washington lobbyists, I welcome Senator McConnell to come shoot with me at the range any day."